Brambleby Books

Inspiration Through Nature

The Butterfly Collection

Richard Harrington

Illustrated by Richard Harrington

A Poem for every British Butterfly.

Butterflies flutter up from these colourful pages – beautiful, delicate, almost mythical creatures. This is the first book to celebrate each of the 58 British butterfly species in verse. The poems mix fact and fun and will be enjoyed by those already passionate about butterflies whilst enthusing others to become so. Brief introductions to the poems explain aspects of the butterflies’ lives necessary to appreciate the poems fully. Many are dedicated to people who have inspired the author in his entomological career. All are wrapped in colour images from life, producing a splendid and enchanting book to be treasured.

Publication date: 24 April, 2018

Category: Insects, Poetry

Hardback

RRP: £20

ISBN: 978-1908241566

Extent: 120 pages

Reviews

The Butterfly Collection is defiantly about butterflies but not as we normally see them. Richard Harrington has produced a wonderfully alternative take on the UK butterfly fauna offering a personal and often idiosyncratic perspective on our islands butterfly species.…The book is also lavishly illustrated with colour photographs of each species which enhance and compliment the whole experience of reading the poems. The Butterfly Collection is an unusual fusion of the arts and sciences that have been blended with a large dose of the authors wit and obvious love of his subject, it is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of our butterflies that will be loved and cherished by all who read it.

P Smithers, The Royal Entomological Society

These captivating and original poems, varied in style and approach, explore the character of our butterflies through the wondrous portal of poetic science. Reading them will amuse and entertain, and strengthen your love and understanding of our butterflies.

Matthew Oates, author of 'In Pursuit of Butterflies and Beyond Spring'

It will surprise no one who knows the author that most verses are infused with a happy wit, whilst some, including lines on The Gatekeeper, are surely serious poetry. I warmly recommend this collection: it is a book that can be dipped into, re-read, and thoroughly enjoyed.

Prof. Jeremy Thomas OBE, entomologist

A joyous, lyrical and witty delight, wonderfully capturing the personality, magic and science of Britain’s butterflies.

Patrick Barkham, author of The Butterfly Isles

Light-hearted, educational and fun to read, this book would make a wonderful gift for budding lepidopterists and experts alike.

Butterfly Conservation

This one isn’t something that can be flicked through – it needs to be savoured. The pictures need to be there of course, but it is the poems that make the book, not the butterflies. Self-indulgent but in a very interesting way, this is a delightful poetry book, unusual and excellent.

Atropos

It’s all tremendous fun and will entertain and delight butterfly lovers.

Peter Marren, British Wildlife

This is a very readable book … and sprinkled with humour. This book may even encourage the reader to take more interest in our butterfly fauna.

Pete Eeles, UK Butterflies, Dispar


Richard Harrington

Richard Harrington is a professional entomologist. Until recently he headed the world-famous Rothamsted Insect Survey in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, contributing to an ongoing national and international effort to assess the demography of moths and aphids to inform about their conservation or control. He has been a very keen butterfly enthusiast since …

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